A new group is being created in an effort to win Metis hunting rights from the provincial government.
John Hanikenne says he plans to form the “Captains of the Hunt” with the Saskatchewan affiliate of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
The Aboriginal Affairs Coalition of Saskatchewan says it will be a non-political body that will have the responsibility for overall management of Metis harvesting, including coordination with other regional Captains of the Hunt.
Hanikenne says many Metis people are tired of waiting for the province to recognize their inherent right to hunt for food.
He says the issue has been widely talked about for 30 years, but little has been accomplished.
Hanikenne says he wants to try a pilot case with the province to get the ball rolling:
“I think that if we issue some temporary cards for hunting, we could work with the province . . . and come up with some solid mechanisms to start the process.”
Hanikenne says some Metis hunters think the issue has been settled, but he notes there are charges still being laid in some cases.
AACS President Kim Beaudin says provincial officials have not been willing to negotiate Metis hunting rights with his organization.
Last month, Metis Nation – Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette revealed his group was still in negotiations with the province about a Metis harvesting agreement, and was hopeful an arrangement could be finalized by early 2013.